ANT102H5 Lecture 11: MMORPGs, Avatars and Identity Online
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ANT102H5 Full Course Notes
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Agenda: gaming and identity simon ludgate, iccit courses and programs, gamer statistics. 3 core themes: challenging the notion that one thing = one thing, anchoring principles of real-world identity (such as gender, race, or other physical/psychological properties) are something we can transcend online. For some players, the avatar becomes a purposeful projection or idealization of their own identity, while for others, the avatar is an experiment with new identities. Here are also those for whom the avatar is merely a pawn the means for an end. Introverted players tend to create characters that are projections or idealizations of themselves, while extroverted players tend to experiment with new identities through their characters. Of course, differences in avatar importance are also influenced by differences in motivations. Players driven by achievement focus more on the power and effectiveness of their avatar"s equipment, while players driven by socialization or immersion are more focused on their avatar"s appearances.
